Dreadfully Yours

Raven Rollins | The Sirens Network

Where storytellers linger long after the final page… From chilling novels and psychological thrillers to horror, film, true crime, and the art of storytelling itself, Dreadfully Yours invites listeners into conversations with the minds behind the stories that stay with us. Hosted by author, narrator, and podcaster Raven Rollins, each chapter blends cinematic narration with intimate discussions exploring fear, creativity, obsession, grief, suspense, and the human experiences woven into dark storytelling.

  1. Oct 12

    Chapter Twenty-Two | JL Hyde - The Westridge Cove Mystery Series

    What happens when a town turns a family's tragedy into a tourist attraction? And what if the hysteria surrounding three missing teenage girls wasn't so different from the witch hunts of centuries past? This week on Dreadfully Yours, author J.L. Hyde joins me to discuss her newest mystery series, beginning with Witches of Westridge and continuing with The Widow Nora. Inspired by an overheard conversation during a visit to Salem, Massachusetts, Jamie created Westridge Cove—a fictional Michigan town where three sisters vanished in 1993 after being accused of practicing witchcraft. Decades later, their disappearance has become the foundation of a thriving Halloween tourism industry, while the family they left behind continues living in its shadow. Jamie shares how the real-life Satanic Panic and the West Memphis Three influenced her story, and why criticism of the word witch inspired her to embrace actual witchcraft in the sequel and turned her into a "witch ally." We also dive into her writing process, including a surprising confession about how she develops her infamous plot twists. Whether you're a longtime J.L. Hyde reader or you're just discovering Westridge Cove, come hang out with us for a little mystery, a little magic, and a whole lot of storytelling. 🖤🔮 Find J.L. Hyde and explore her books: https://www.jlhyde.com/ Mentioned in this episode: The Darkest Season: True Crime Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. For mood readers who love Southern true crime, get The Darkest Season today. KU/Kindle Exclusive. Paperbacks anywhere.

  2. Oct 7

    Chapter Twenty-One | McCracken Poston Jr. - Zenith Man

    When Virginia Ridley was found dead inside her Georgia home in 1997, suspicion quickly fell on her husband, Alvin—a reclusive television repairman whose unusual behavior and eccentric reputation had made him an outsider in his own community. Charged with his wife's murder, Alvin faced a criminal justice system that struggled to understand him. But attorney McCracken Poston Jr. would discover that behind the rumors, the locked doors, and the troubling circumstances of Virginia's death was a far more complicated story. In this episode of Dreadfully Yours, I sit down with McCracken Poston Jr., criminal defense attorney and author of Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom, to discuss one of Georgia's most extraordinary murder trials. From the challenges of representing an unconventional client to the evidence that would reshape the narrative surrounding Alvin and Virginia's marriage, McCracken shares his experiences inside and outside the courtroom—and reflects on the friendship that grew from a case neither man would ever forget. It's a conversation about justice, prejudice, loyalty, love, and the danger of mistaking someone's differences for evidence of guilt. Featured Book: Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom by McCracken Poston Jr. Find more info about Poston, Jr. on his website at https://www.zenithmanbook.com/ and find the book anywhere you get your books. Available on: Sirens | A Southern True Crime Podcast Dreadfully Yours: Conversations with Dark Storytellers Mentioned in this episode: The Darkest Season: True Crime Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. For mood readers who love Southern true crime, get The Darkest Season today. KU/Kindle Exclusive. Paperbacks anywhere.

  3. Jun 13

    Chapter Twenty | Tony Adame - Chase the Devil

    In this gripping episode, I sit down with journalist and true crime author Tony Adame, the mind behind Chase the Devil: Murder and Obsession on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the award-winning podcast The Sheriff: Murder, Lies & Revenge in Okaloosa County. We dive into the real-life case that inspired his debut true crime book—a haunting story of manipulation, obsession, and murder set against the backdrop of coastal Florida. The story of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Tony shares what it was like to research such an emotionally complex story, how living on the Gulf Coast gave him a unique perspective, and what it takes to turn a criminal case into a compelling long-form narrative. We also explore the psychological themes at play and how Tony’s background in journalism and podcasting shaped his voice as an author. Find Chase the Devil anywhere books are sold or at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million Find Tony Adame's podcast, The Sheriff: Murder, Lies & Revenge in Okaloosa County, on all major podcast platforms. Listen on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Watch Tony on Cold Case Files (Intro with interview from Tony's sister, Renee) S2 E16: The Clock Strikes Murder. Find Cold Case Files on Hulu, A&E, or most streaming platforms. (This episode originally aired on the podcast Sirens | Southern True Crime with Raven Rollins. It has been reformatted for use on this podcast.) Find retail links to this storyteller's work, along with other books, podcasts, films, and music featured on the show at https://linktr.ee/DreadfullyYours. Find Raven's books, audiobooks, and podcasts at www.RavenRollins.com. Support the show by donating today. Mentioned in this episode: Allegedly: True Crime 30 Cases. 1 County. 0 Justice? For readers of The Innocent Man by John Grisham. Same town, same authorities, more stories. Get Allegedly anywhere you get your books. Also on KU.

  4. Jun 2

    Chapter Nineteen | Rachel Corbett - The Monsters We Make

    In this chapter, I’m joined by Rachel Corbett, journalist, academic, and author of The Monsters We Make, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about crime, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about evil. Rachel shares how her own childhood experiences—and the moments that shaped her understanding of violence and fear—ultimately led her down the path of researching crime, criminal behavior, and the FBI’s approach to criminal profiling. What began as personal curiosity evolved into years of research that challenge some of the most widely accepted assumptions in true crime. We talk in depth about The Monsters We Make, including what inspired the book, how personal history intersects with academic inquiry, and why criminal profiling may not be the reliable investigative tool pop culture has led us to believe. Rachel breaks down how profiling gained its reputation, where it has fallen short, and why its perceived success often looks very different when examined closely. This episode explores the tension between storytelling and science—and asks hard questions about how myths are created, repeated, and cemented in both law enforcement and media. Find more about Rachel at https://www.rachel-corbett.com/. (This episode originally aired on the podcast Sirens | Southern True Crime with Raven Rollins. It has been reformatted for use on this podcast.) Find retail links to this storyteller's work, along with other books, podcasts, films, and music featured on the show at https://linktr.ee/DreadfullyYours. Find Raven's books, audiobooks, and podcasts at www.RavenRollins.com. Support the show by donating today. Mentioned in this episode: The Darkest Season Find The Darkest Season: True Crime in the American South from Halloween to Christmas anywhere you get your books. Releasing mid-October 2026.

  5. May 24

    Chapter Eighteen | David McCloskey - The Seventh Floor

    Raven sits down with former CIA analyst and bestselling espionage novelist David McCloskey, author of The Seventh Floor, Moscow X, and Damascus Station, for a fascinating conversation about the realities — and misconceptions — surrounding the CIA and modern intelligence work. A former analyst who worked at Langley and in field stations across the Middle East, McCloskey brings real-world experience into both his fiction and this discussion. Together, Raven and David explore everything from the truth behind CIA “agents” and analysts to the controversy surrounding polygraphs, burnout inside the intelligence world, and how espionage fiction differs from Hollywood portrayals. They also dive into the craft of writing spy fiction, building realistic tension, and creating stories grounded in authentic tradecraft and emotional realism, as well as his books. David McCloskey is also the co-host of the hit espionage podcast The Rest Is Classified. Get The Seventh Floor on the Zon. Find David McCloskey online: Official Website Instagram @mccloskeybooks X/Twitter @mccloskeybooks (This episode originally aired on the podcast Sirens | Southern True Crime with Raven Rollins. It has been reformatted for use on this podcast.) Find retail links to this storyteller's work, along with other books, podcasts, films, and music featured on the show at https://linktr.ee/DreadfullyYours. Find Raven's books, audiobooks, and podcasts at www.RavenRollins.com. Support the show by donating today. Mentioned in this episode: That Which Separates Man (Book) Find That Which Separates Man in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited.

  6. May 17

    Chapter Fifteen | Shawn M. Warner - Leigh Howard

    Raven sits down with USA Today bestselling author Shawn M. Warner for a conversation surrounding viral publishing success, storytelling, social media, and his breakout novel “Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor.” After a chance encounter at a grocery store led to a viral TikTok video viewed by millions, Shawn and his novel quickly exploded into the spotlight, transforming the independently published ghost story into a chart-topping bestseller and introducing readers around the world to the haunting world of Leigh Howard. Together, Raven and Shawn discuss the surreal experience of sudden viral attention, the realities of modern publishing and BookTok culture, and the process behind crafting a story that blends spooky atmosphere, mystery, humor, grief, and adventure. The conversation also explores Shawn’s writing journey, audience connection, and how social media has transformed the way stories find readers. “Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor” follows a teenage girl whose life is shattered after the murder of her parents, leading her into a world of secrets, betrayal, organized crime, and the supernatural — including an unforgettable ghost companion with multiple personalities. Find Shawn on TikTok @shawnwwrites. (This episode originally aired on the podcast Sirens | Southern True Crime with Raven Rollins. It has been reformatted for use on this podcast.) Find retail links to this storyteller's work, along with other books, podcasts, films, and music featured on the show at https://linktr.ee/DreadfullyYours. Find Raven's books, audiobooks, and podcasts at www.RavenRollins.com. Support the show by donating today. Mentioned in this episode: I Crit You Not: An RPG Podcast Listen to I Crit You Not anywhere you get your podcasts.

About

Where storytellers linger long after the final page… From chilling novels and psychological thrillers to horror, film, true crime, and the art of storytelling itself, Dreadfully Yours invites listeners into conversations with the minds behind the stories that stay with us. Hosted by author, narrator, and podcaster Raven Rollins, each chapter blends cinematic narration with intimate discussions exploring fear, creativity, obsession, grief, suspense, and the human experiences woven into dark storytelling.